20 Christmas Appetizers for All Your Festive Celebrations

Potato Croquettes

A beloved finger food, these crispy potato apps always disappear fast at parties. Serve them with a sauce for dipping. We like Herb Mayonnaise, Three-Ingredient Marinara, or Romesco Sauce.

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02 of 20

Three-Cheese Artichoke-and-Sun-Dried-Tomato Dip

cheese dip with pretzels and crackers — Lennart Weibull

A hot cheese dip? Yes please! This sophisticated take blends cream cheese, Colby Jack, and Parmigiano-Reggiano, then adds chopped marinated artichoke hearts and sun-dried tomatoes before the dish finishes in the oven.

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03 of 20

Smoked Salmon-Radish Deviled Eggs

A luxurious take on that all-time favorite, the deviled egg, this extra-festive deviled egg has smoked salmon blended into the yolk. Little bits of peppery, fresh radish contrast with the richness of the silky salmon and egg.

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04 of 20

Shrimp Salad Canapés With Endive

A bite-sized treat of shrimp paired with bitter endive on crackers. Swap the shrimp for crab if you like.

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05 of 20

Egg-and-Caviar Dip

Eggs, meet eggs. A mixture of hard-cooked eggs, crème fraîche, and minced chives is topped with a colorful layer of trout roe for a salty, surprising pop. With cocktails or Champagne, this upscale appetizer is sure to be a hit.

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06 of 20

Salmon-and-Mashed-Potato Croquettes

Crispy and golden brown, these croquettes have a coating of panko breadcrumbs around a filling of fluffy mashed potatoes and salmon. You can use tinned salmon or smoked, but either way, they're the perfect bite for a holiday celebration.

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07 of 20

Three-Cheese Gougères

These delicate, savory French cheese puffs never fail to impress. They strike that perfect balance between indulgent, but not too filling.

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08 of 20

Pull-Apart Pigs in a Blanket

A staple at cocktail parties and get-togethers from the past, this retro favorite will never go out of style. Our pull-apart version takes it to the next level.

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09 of 20

Rosemary Roasted Nuts

Coated with a sweet-savory mixture of rosemary and brown sugar, these party nuts are the crunchy and delicious snack you've been looking forward to all year.

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10 of 20

Savory Crepe Rollups

asparagus prosciutto salmon rollups — Lennart Weibull

A fun way to incorporate the Christmas colors of red and green into your spread is to roll them up in these savory one-bite appetizers. Tender crepes make a great wrapper and can be made a day or two ahead and refrigerated until you're ready to roll.

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11 of 20

Baked Brie With Boozy Fruit

It would be unthinkable to leave a brie-en-croute off of a "best-of" appetizer list. This version includes a side of port-spiked fruit compote to balance out the bites of rich gooey cheese and flaky puff pastry.

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12 of 20

Bette's Chicken-Liver Pâté With Sautéed Maple Syrup Apples

A French classic with a seasonal spin, this chicken liver pâté is a classy spread to serve alongside some crostini. The maple-glazed apples included in the recipe are a sweet accompaniment to the rich and velvety spread.

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13 of 20

Herby Shrimp-and-Feta Bake

A departure from the same-old shrimp cocktail, this Mediterranean-inspired appetizer features the plump, tender shrimp and briny feta practically swimming in an aromatic sea of olive oil. In case it wasn't already clear, serving this dish with crusty bread for dipping is a must!

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14 of 20

Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread

Go all out with this homemade pull-apart bread that is shaped like a Christmas tree, and decorate it with edible baubles like rosemary, mini mozzarella balls, and tiny chile peppers.

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15 of 20

Goat-Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

These cheesy stuffed mushrooms are as delicious as they are easy to make; they come together in just three steps. The creamy filling can get blitzed in a food processor.

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16 of 20

Devils on Horseback

Here's another retro appetizer that has stood the test of time—and that's because it is one of the simplest bites you could make and has the most going on in terms of texture and flavor. Sweet dates are stuffed with blue cheese and encased in smoky bacon. It's no surprise that we can't get enough.

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17 of 20

Warm Robiola Cheese With Pine Nuts, Olives, and Golden Raisins

If time, willpower, or dietary restrictions won't allow for an en-croute cheese appetizer, give this recipe a try, instead. The mild soft-ripened robiola quickly melts into a dippable delight and is topped off with a festive looking sweet-and-sour relish.

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18 of 20

Hot Crab Dip

A gold standard in the repertoire of many home cooks, this rendition balances out the naturally rich and creamy crab dip with bold seasonings like dry mustard powder, Worcestershire, and lemon juice.

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19 of 20

Harissa, Goat Cheese, and Herb Tart

Store-bought puff pastry makes this appetizer quick and easy to make, while toppings of spicy harissa and creamy goat cheese make it special enough to serve for a classier occasion.

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20 of 20

Beef and Asparagus Negimaki

These bite-size bundles are made by wrapping thin slices of beef tenderloin around blanched asparagus. They are then grilled and basted with a sweetened soy sauce.

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